pol1n

Submitted by: Trixia M. Gonzales

Submitted to: Prof. Johnelyn Tangpus

My Analysis of Decentralization and Federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from Global Community Alex B. Brillantes, Jr. and Donna Moscare

Introduction Many centuries have passed since from the time of Spaniards occupation to, American period and reaching to the point of present era wherein the country Philippines had progressed and evolved. But that doesn’t stops the time from ticking for we all know that life isn’t stationary it is an ongoing cycle of life. That something’s are needed to be change and some are needed to be assessed for it to develop. Philippine’s for many years now have always been a highly centralized unitary form of government even before the Spanish occupation. Therefore we must change it because life is ongoing and that we won’t be able to attain our main goal and purpose if we always do the same thing. But the main reason is that because Filipinos are generally increasing especially now that we are almost near a hundred million of population as of the results given by the NSO .And to the fact that despite its diversity and rich in resources still our nation is suffering we are still unable to expand for the greater exploitation of these gifts given. For in Philippines form of government is said have too much centralization wherein the administration and power is more concentrated in Manila leaving other regions to the forgotten promise. That is why Filipino government officials as to its duty are carefully and systematically creating a way to a proposal for a more Decentralization .The reason for it to be enacted to the administration, is for us to be able to introduced to further local autonomy and to promote good governance. And recently many politicians and scholars are looking into federal form of government as an option as the next step for Philippine government. Yet many years had passed and still the undergoing discussions about Federalism are still being debated an argued. For it is believed that Federalism is the changed that we needed for us to prevent this inequitable development among regions.

Findings Base on the research it has been said that Philippines had a long tradition of centralized government way back from the time of datu's .And according to Juanito Ortiz that the local villages also known as barangay of the Philippine Archipelago have benn existent even before the arrival of the Spaniards colonizer’s which was also headed by a datu, panginoo or pangolo. But it was through the Spaniards and American occupations that have greatly influenced us of having such centralized government. That their main purpose of implementing such government is for them to maintain and largely control the security considerations and local affairs to Philippines. And that the decentralization and Federalism must be pushed through though it certainly is certainly a difficult task to undo the centuries-old centrally oriented nation. For less than a decade the “Decentralization Act of 1967” was enacted for it further increased the financial resources of local governments an broadened their decision making powers over administrative matters. And because of the fact that Philippine Government are step by step decentralizing there has been many results showing. Like how the constitution was assessed and changed in a way of decentralizing some of the power to local governments but still President is given the authority to exercise supervision and control over the local government. Also as one of the historical attempt of decentralizing power and authority to local institutions .A local government code was in fact enacted in 1983.And in spite of the many attempts of decentralizing still the power continued to be concentrated in Manila with the local government being very dependent to the national government. That is why Federalism is needed, for according to Professor Ronald Watts federalism provides a constitutional organization that allows action by a shared government for a certain common purposes. For the basis of establishing a federal system is that Philippines has already achieved sufficient national unity and democratization and that it is very well qualified to enter into such form of government. Also in the research there were list made for a ten-year plan preparation for the adoption of a federal government to Philippines.

Analysis Due to the increasing problems faced by the Philippines it just shows that there is something wrong within our way of managing good governance. But first what is good governance? Good governance is the establishment of institutions, procedures and etc. for the sole purpose which is to promote the welfare of once nation. We are able to attain it by carefully analyzing the needs of the societies for you to be able make amendments or changes, That is why for our government to be able to help our nation and their selves as well is to be able to know what we truly needs. Right now I do believe that we need to change our form of government for I am also fully aware of the state of condition our country is facing. That because of too much centralization other autonomy were not given chances to help one another instead they were encourage to be more dependent to the national government. Which is not always correct and the right way for tranquility the peace that comes when energies are in harmony and relations are in balance.Basically what I mean is that we need to balance our relationship and responsibilities for us to attain victory. It has also been evident that provinces who are much more gifted with nature are more poorer than of Manila though we all know that these provinces are the real one that is supporting for the development of those bigger cities. Therefore we must make voices to change to federalism for through the enactment of this type of government there will be more power given to the local government. For them to be able to help themselves from poverty which we faces. And that issues regarding for the development and war problem Mindanao which is brought by separatist movements might be solved therefore it is needed But remember that it must be well studied before its enactment so that politicians can be able to adjust and amend what is needed to be changed. And also while preparing for federalism the government should be more decentralized. For changing a centuries-old form government will be a very difficult task so that is why we are in need of a very careful and thoughtful process before it will be enacted

Conclusion The importance of knowing why the decentralization and federalism should be imposed in the Philippines is for the reason of making a brighter tomorrow. For none of us can change the our yesterdays but all of us can change our tomorrows Philippines is my and our homeland that is why we must protect and loved it and think of ways to show how much grateful of what we have now and for tomorrow. Especially now that our land is filled with many problems and is in need of our help and that we should remember that when all is lost the future still remains simply what I mean is that it is our responsibilities to correct mistakes. And through using that guide to create a solution but the questions is how does the federalism and decentralization would help us build up solutions to these problems. Remember that when the time we were in unitary it was very long time ago and is now in capable if answering our problems and that is why we must take risk again to make a new form. And that possible risk is to change our government form to form far greater and carefully studied, debated and argued by experts and that is to decentralize the government first as preparation of the enactment of the Federalism. In which it is well, purposively and deliberatively made and thus the process should be participatory and broadbased. Just imagine a well-built relationship of responsibilities between local and national government where in all is working for the development of once nation. For the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

References: Abueva,Jose V.ed. (2002).Towarrds a Federal republic of the Philippines with a Parliamentary Government by 2010: A Draft Constitution. Kalayaan College, Marikina City. Abueva,Jose

V.(2000). TRANSFORMING OUR UNITARY SYSTEM TO A FEDERAL

SYSTEM:A Pragmatic, Developmental Approach. Brillantes,Alex B. (2002).Decentralization an Devolution in the Philippines: Experiences and Lessons learned After a Decade presented at the International Conference on the “New Developments in Asia: Appraising a Decade of Experience, Problems and Prospects” at Seoul National University , Seoul, Korea. 7-9 April. Pimentel,Aquilino,Jr. (2001).FEDERALIZNG THE REPUBLIC: the ultimate basis for just and lasting peace in central and Southern Mindanao. Delivered at the Kusog Mindanao sponsored forum on federalization, New World Renaissance Hotel, Makati City. http://www.nenepimentel.org./speeches/. Viewed on 22 June 2002 Watts, Ronald L. (2002).The Relevance Today of the Federal idea. http://www.federalism2002.ch/ World Federalist Association. Federal Systems in the Twentieth Century. http://www.wfa.org./about/compare.html. Viewed on 22 January 2002. http://unu.edu/publications/articles/what-does-good-governance-mean.html